Shi Fengju was at a loss for words, thinking that he isn’t a fool, abandoning you now? Then he might as well get ready to drink the northwest wind! If by any chance he makes a na for himself in the future, then it’s really hard to say!
However, Shi Fengju did not dare to say these words in front of Shi Yui, for saying them would undoubtedly be like stabbing her heart with a knife.
Shi Fengju flipped to the second page, his brow slightly raised, and said forthrightly: "We will prepare the New Year gifts for the family elders imdiately, but these nas listed here aren’t from the Ren family, and these items—such as the Four Treasures of the Study and various calligraphies and paintings—whom are they for?"
Shi Yui was taken aback and could only murmur with her eyes downcast: "These, these are for the friends of your brother-in-law in ng County... Your brother-in-law said we should prepare a set for them as well."
"That’s not acceptable!" Before Shi Fengju could speak, Mrs. Wang had already angrily retorted: "It’s those no-good so-called friends again, I see no need to keep company with them, it would be better to cut ties!"
"Mother! How can you say that!" Shi Yui exclaid anxiously.
"Why can’t I!" Mrs. Wang said angrily: "I see that those people are leading our son-in-law astray, otherwise, they wouldn’t take him to those places of ill repute. Yui, it’s not that I want to criticize you, but there are so things you need to handle as a wife—can you really let him run amok like that?"
"I’m of the sa opinion," Shi Fengju stated resolutely: "It is right to honor the elders, but as for these social exchanges among friends, it doesn’t seem appropriate to have bother with them, right? I’d be no better than his slave!"
Thinking about it, this did seem sensible, and Shi Yui could not utter a word in response; she could only stay silent and concede.
"Then it’s settled!" Mrs. Wang declared with finality, turning to Sang Wan: "Miss Wan, I’m afraid you’ll have to take extra trouble. Have the procurent team hurry up and prepare another set, later arrange for soone to send it to ng County!"
Mrs. Wang sighed, also feeling constricted in her heart. The mbers of the Shi family replacing the Ren family to send New Year’s gifts to the Ren family elders—it felt awkward no matter how she thought about it!
"Yes, Mother!" Sang Wan responded as she rose, and together with Fengju, they both went out.
As it happened, Zhuang Weixian had matters to discuss with Shi Fengju, so Shi Fengju changed his clothes and went out. He instructed Sang Wan to hand over the list to the housekeeper in the outer courtyard for handling, and Sang Wan smiled and agreed.
Seeing Shi Fengju go out, Sang Wan said to Liu Ya and Xingzhi: "The Mistress and the young master refused Miss Shi’s request, I wouldn’t be surprised if she looks for trouble with later. You both should be alert, and if soone cos, don’t talk carelessly. I think it’s better for to avoid the situation for now!"
Xingzhi and Liu Ya both smiled and agreed with "Yes". Out of the blue, Liu Ya sighed again and said: "The eldest Miss is actually quite pitiable!"
"Here you go again, talking nonsense!" Sang Wan scolded her.
"But it’s true!" Liu Ya continued: "A woman fears marrying the wrong man, this saying is never wrong! If you ask , our first Mistress is fortunate to have such a good husband like the young master!"
"Indeed," Xingzhi also smiled: "The young master is increasingly fond of the Mistress. There’s nobody in our entire household who doesn’t know!"
"If you two have that much free ti to gossip about here, you’d better rush off and get to work!" Sang Wan smiled and rebuked them.
As they were talking, the voice of a young servant girl performing a courtesy outside could be heard: "Eldest Miss, you have arrived!"
The three people inside the warm pavilion changed color, and Sang Wan hurriedly instructed: "Just say I am not here, and hurry out!"
Liu Ya rushed out, just to see Shi Yui walking in while asking: "Hmm, where is your Mistress? Is she in the room?"
"Eldest Miss!" Liu Ya silently exclaid in relief, quickly intercepted the little servant girl who was about to speak, stepped forward with a smile and courtesy: "Eldest Miss, you have co, but unfortunately, our Mistress has just stepped out!"
"Stepped out?" Shi Yui raised an eyebrow skeptically: "Where did she go?"
Liu Ya shook her head with an apologetic smile: "The slave does not know, after the slave had finished her work, the Mistress had already left... Eldest Miss, are you looking for our Mistress for sothing?"
Shi Yui huffed and said disdainfully: "If I did not have business here, why would I co! Since she is not here, never mind then. When she returns, tell her to wait for in the room, have soone go to the banana garden and let know, I have urgent matters to discuss with her!"
"Yes." Liu Ya hurriedly agreed, seeing Shi Yui out.
"Mistress," Liu Ya looked to make sure Shi Yui had gone far away before returning to the room, laughing: "Although we fooled her for now, if the Eldest Miss finds out you lied to her, who knows what kind of scene she’ll make!"
Sang Wan laughed: "I’ll just leave through the back door and take a turn, so it won’t be a lie!" If she had seen her, it would have been even more troubleso, and she didn’t know how to deal with her! Mrs. Wang and Shi Fengju could stand their ground and talk tough because they were family heads, yet even they had to take care of her feelings. How could she possibly refute her to her face? It would be strange indeed if she accepted it!
Sang Wan then commanded soone to bring the lynx fur cloak for her to wear.
Xingzhi laughed: "But in this freezing weather, where will you go? Right, the second, third, fourth, and fifth young misses are at Qingying Pavilion enjoying the plum flowers and barbecuing at; why not join them, Mistress? You can say it’s to look after the younger misses, that would make sense!"
"Great idea!" Liu Ya also laughed: "That’s a good plan! This morning, the second young miss and others still ca to you asking for fresh at, condints, charcoal fire, barbecue grills, and iron hooks. Let’s go over and take a look!"
Sang Wan agreed with a laugh, leaving Xingzhi to watch the house. She went with Liu Ya and took two young servant girls, exiting through the back door, heading towards the plum forest to find Shi Yuzhen, Shi Lian, and the others.
Shi Lian’s leg injury had already healed; the sisters had not seen each other for a long ti and were having a lively ti eating and playing. They all laughed and called out "Sister-in-law!" as they stood up to greet her when they saw Sang Wan coming.
"You really know how to enjoy yourselves! I slled the aroma from a distance!" Sang Wan couldn’t help but laugh.
Shi Yuzhen laughed: "Thanks to the fresh beef and venison provided by sister-in-law. Sister-in-law, you’ve co at just the right ti, the best at has just started to roast!"
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